Do you have any debts?

When the USCIS officer asks whether the applicant has any debts, the applicant should respond truthfully about any significant obligations including mortgages, student loans, car loans, credit card balances, business debts, court-ordered debts (back taxes, child support arrears, fines, restitution), and any other debts. Having debts is generally not a problem for naturalization. Most American adults have some form of debt, and the United States does not require applicants to be debt-free to qualify for citizenship.

The officer asks the question to identify any debts that may affect good moral character or to confirm consistency with the financial picture. Debts that can be problems include: court-ordered child support arrears for which the applicant has not made arrangements; back taxes owed to the IRS without a current installment agreement; criminal restitution unpaid; civil judgments unpaid; and debts arising from fraud. Ordinary commercial debts (mortgages, credit cards, student loans, car loans) handled appropriately are not problems.

Bankruptcy filings are also not problems for naturalization, although the applicant should disclose any bankruptcy and bring relevant documentation. Bankruptcy is a legal process that allows debt relief, and many applicants who have filed bankruptcy (particularly Chapter 7 or Chapter 13) become naturalized citizens without issue.

Applicants who have unpaid child support obligations should consult with the local child support enforcement agency to understand options, including establishing a payment plan, modifying the support order based on changed circumstances, or otherwise resolving the arrears. Failure to support dependents is a basis for finding lack of good moral character under section 101(f)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, but ongoing payment plans typically address this. Applicants who owe back taxes can establish IRS installment agreements through Form 9465.

Applicants with significant debts in other countries (mortgages on foreign property, business debts abroad, unpaid taxes in other jurisdictions) should disclose these. The U.S. interest is primarily in U.S. compliance, but foreign tax obligations may bear on tax reporting requirements. Applicants who have been pursued by collection agencies, sued by creditors, or had wages garnished should disclose this and explain. Honest disclosure is the right approach.

The applicant should bring documentation of any significant ongoing debts: monthly statements, settlement agreements, bankruptcy discharge orders, IRS installment agreements, child support orders. The officer is not evaluating the applicant's credit score; the officer is looking for honesty and resolution of any debts that bear on good moral character. The vast majority of applicants with ordinary debts have no problem.